Casey Donovan

Join one of Australia’s most versatile and beloved entertainers Casey Donovan – together with a host of special guests and performers – in a joyous concert inspired by music and cultures from around the world and staged to create awareness and raise funds for HEAL, a charity providing expressive arts therapies to young people from refugee backgrounds in Queensland. Casey is a proud Gumbaynggirr and Dungatti woman and First Nations artist, a multi-award winner in the areas of music, stage, screen, presenting and writing, and most recently a musical theatre phenomenon in her roles as Mama Morton in Chicago and Judy Bernly in 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL. Advocating for a wide variety of charities and initiatives through her work, Casey will also perform alongside one of Australia’s most respected ensembles Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra, electronic duo Zemzemeh, hip hop visionary Ozi Jarel and singer-songwriter Menaka Thomas accompanied by Meg Burstow and Tsoof Baras to bring their incredible talent and energy to Songs of Hope, helping HEAL to reach more children and young people in need. Also performing alongside Casey will be Multicultural Australia and QPAC’s MOSAIC Choir and the QPAC Chamber Choir. Hosted by Queensland Poetry Slam champion and comedian Anisa Nanduala, enjoy an evening of world music and connection in this family event while supporting a great cause that’s close to home. Funds raised by this concert will support HEAL’s expressive arts therapies in Queensland’s schools. “Now, that’s how to fill a Concert Hall! Wow!” Stage Whispers “...the evening provided an eclectic and affecting mix of music to inspire collective belief and soothe the weary soul.” Scenestr “What audience members took away from the night were heads and hearts full of memories, compassion and good music. What more could anyone want?” Absolute Theatre About HEAL HEAL was established in 2004 as a school-based, specialty mental health program supporting the wellbeing and trauma recovery of young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds at Milpera State High School in Brisbane. Today, HEAL provides expressive therapies to students across four Brisbane secondary schools and to Queensland’s diverse cultural communities. Expressive therapies include art, music, and play therapy, ensuring young people’s experience of refugee trauma is not a barrier to them learning, settling and flourishing and that they have the same opportunities to thrive as other children. Creativity through expressive arts therapies can deeply nurture emotional wellbeing and healing, particularly in children from non-English speaking backgrounds and those who have experienced trauma. The HEAL program supports over 270 newly-arrived refugee and asylum seeking children and young people each year, relying on community donations and fundraising to provide our services. HEAL is part of QPASTT, Queensland’s specialist torture and trauma recovery service.